Loose-leaf binder



Feb. 15 1 1517778 927 v. B. WHITEHOUSE ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 18. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNV NTOR I V 5 Wilde/1 a and leg agy y 416 .Jzma;

ATTORNEY Feb. 15, 1927. 1, ,77

v. a. WHITEHOUSE ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 18. 1925 2 SI'ieets-Sheet 2 5 tMOZI /& and imam were ATTORNEY- Patented Feb. 15, 1927. l

PATENT UNITED STATES VIRA B. WHITEHOUSE AND LEONARD IELLETIERE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE Assl'GNMENTs, SAID VIRA B. "WI-IITEHOUSE.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed November The object of the present invention is to provide a loose leaf binder of the type in which the holding prongs for the loose leaves are carried bytwo members extending longitudinally of the binder and which are hinged together, the specific object of the invention being to so construct a binder of this type that the back may be solid and rigid, as contrasted with the hinged back. In devices of this class heretofore manufactured, the back of the binder has been hinged in order to permit relative movement between the two prong holding units. A hinged back is objectionable because repeated operation of the binder in removing and applying loose leaves causes the back covering to break at the hinge, or loosens and otherwise mars title slips applied to the back.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with the invention, the leaves of the binder being partly broken away, and

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the binder when in the position shown in Figure 2, the prong holding hinged members being swung to vertical position;

Figure 4 is an end view similar to Figure 3, but with the left hand prong holding member swung downwardly on its hinge, and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 55, Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen our binder comprises a rigid back member 1 which may be of wood or metal. It is not necessarily a solid member although it can so be constructed and is so shown in the drawings. To the back may be applied the covers 2, 2 in any suitable manner. These covers may be connected to the back in accordance with the usual binding practice. Extending longitudinally of the back and securely afiixed thereto is a plate 3 having hinge members 4, which hinge members are adapted to coact with registering hinge members on the prong holding frame.

The prong holding frame comprises a member A which is hinged at 5 to a member 18, 1925. Serial No. 69,726.

B. The hinge units of member A are secured to the hinge units of plate 3 in any suitable manner as by a rod 6.

Member A is provided with a flange 7, extending at right angles to its main portion, and to this flange are rigidly secured a plurality of prongs C for receiving the loose leaves. Member B likewise is provided with a flange 7* extending at right angles to its main portion and rigidly securing a plurality of prongs C" which are directed oppositely to prongs C.

Flange 7* of member B is provided with a projecting stud 8 which is adapted to snap into the aperture 9 of a spring catch 9 when the prong holding member is swung downwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Suitable means may be provided for latching members A' and B together as a rigid unitary structure. To this end member A is provided with a spring plate 10 having a projecting finger piece 10. Plate 10 carries a stud 11 adapted to enter a suitable aperture formed in a latch plate 12 rigidly secured to member B. The latch, when operative, occupies the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. VVhe'n finger piece 10 is depressed stud 11 will be withdrawn from the aperture of plate 12 and the latter may be swung downwardly on hinge 5 to occupy the position illustrated in Figure 4, thereby separating the prongs to permit the removal or insertion of loose leaves.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the hinge 5 projects downwardly to- -ward the back 1, and the latter is formed with a channel 13 to receive the hinge. The back is also formed with a clearance 14: to permit operation of the latch finger piece 10*, as shown in Figure 2.

Having described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In a binder, the combination with a back member, of a prong-holding device movable to open and closed positions and comprising two units each holding a plurality of prongs, the prongs of one unit being directed oppositely to those of the other unit when the prong holding device is in closed position, one of said units being hinged to the back, both of said units being hinged together, and means for latching the units against movement relatively to the back.

2. In a binder, the combination with n 5 back of n prong-holding device comprising two mutually hinged members, each member supporting a. pln'ality of prongs, the prongs of one member being directed towards the other n'iei'nbei', means for hinging the irst member to the back and means iniii dependent of said hinging means for latching the second member to the back.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

VIBE-i B. YVHI'iEHOUSE. LEONARD PELLETIERE. 

